Hay is the name we give to meadow grass that, once mown, dried and baled, is stored for later use.
The quality of the hay is fundamental to our rabbits' health, since it makes up most of their diet and is key to good digestion and proper tooth wear.
What plants it contains
The qualities and properties of a hay are determined by the variety and type of plants that make up the meadow, generally grasses and legumes. Among the grasses we find cocksfoot, dandelion, ryegrass, timothy grass… And among the legumes, with a higher nutritional value, clover and alfalfa are the most notable.
Rain-fed or irrigated
How the grass is handled throughout its growth and haymaking also matters a great deal, as does the local weather. We can tell apart rain-fed meadows, which only get whatever water falls as rain, from irrigated meadows, which get a regular, abundant water supply.
The hay from a rain-fed meadow is pale green or yellowish, with a shorter stem. A yellowish hay that still has all its whole plants with their seeds and grains shouldn't be confused with straw, which is just the plant's stalk once the seeds have been separated, with practically no nutritional value.
With irrigated meadows, on the other hand, we get a hay with an intense green color and a longer stem. Plant growth — stem length — is also shaped by whether or not slurry or chemical fertilizers are used, which result in taller plants and a darker green color.
Otherwise, hay grown without chemical fertilizers will grow more slowly, giving plants with a shorter stem.
First cut and second cut
There's still the classification of hay by which cut it comes from: first cut, second cut or later cuts. The first cut tends to be more fibrous and less protein-rich, better balanced for free feeding. The second cut is usually made up of smaller plants than the first, so it provides less fiber and a higher protein content, which can encourage weight gain in our rabbit.
How we do it
In our case, a small equine operation, the hay we produce comes from high-mountain meadows, at 1,500 meters of altitude, deep in the Pyrenees. Production that respects our surroundings, the way it used to be done. We only do a single cut that ends up being a mix of a first and a second cut, because of our climate, which gives us cold springs that make the hay grow more slowly than in warmer areas. This gives a balanced hay, rich in fiber and protein. Well cured and stored in our hayloft, ready to feed healthy horses and rabbits. We pack, weigh and prepare shipments by hand, with no machinery involved, ensuring excellent quality in our shipments.
What to give your rabbit
Ideally, our rabbit should have access to a hay that combines both grasses and legumes — meadow grass turned into hay, popularly known as timothy hay.
Given that a rabbit's teeth grow continuously, having hay freely available ensures our rabbit can keep chewing and wearing down its teeth and molars naturally.
And most important for our rabbits' good health: a properly working digestive system. As with horses, it always has to be running, and fiber intake keeps their digestive system active, which prevents intestinal problems.
A high-quality hay is fundamental to a rabbit's good health, helping prevent digestive and dental problems and ensuring proper fiber intake in its diet.
